JP2008185484A - Gas use information display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas use information display capable of displaying a use situation of gas to gas consumers in such a way as to be easily understood. <P>SOLUTION: An instantaneous flow rate of every appliance is previously registered in an external memory 14. An instantaneous flow rate measured by a gas meter 6 is compared with registered instantaneous flow rates. A microcomputer 11 adds up the amount of use of an appliance of which the instantaneous flow rate has been matched with the registered instantaneous flow rates and displays integrated values of every appliance, usage rates computed on the basis of the integrated values, and a use method of the appliances for lowering usage rates in a recommended rate plan judged on the basis of a use situation and a current rate plan on a display part 12 when users have requested. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas utilization information display device that displays various information by acquiring a gas flow rate from a gas meter.

  Conventionally, a gas supplier calculates a usage fee according to a gas consumption amount of the gas consumer obtained by meter reading or the like every predetermined period (for example, one month), and charges the usage fee to the gas consumer. . In order to increase gas consumption and sales of gas appliances, a special gas charge system is applied. For example, a method such as lowering the gas usage fee for a specific gas appliance is used.

As a gas meter for dealing with a special gas fee system, for example, a gas meter described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. The gas meter described in Patent Document 1 integrates gas consumption for each of a plurality of flow rate categories. The gas supplier can propose various discount fee services that are easy for consumers to understand by setting a discount rate, a discount fee, and the like for each flow rate category.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-10002

  A device for displaying the gas consumption accumulated by the gas meter described in Patent Document 1 is installed in the house for reference such as the gas consumer himself selecting a discount charge service or a plurality of charge plans according to the usage situation. However, it is difficult for the gas consumer to select an appropriate rate plan etc. because the user does not know which gas appliance is used in the display for each flow rate category. It was.

  Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the problems as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a gas usage information display device capable of displaying gas usage status in an easy-to-understand manner for gas consumers.

  The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a gas utilization information display device that is connected to a gas meter and disposed in a house, and acquires an instantaneous flow rate from the gas meter periodically. Means, registration means for registering instrument information connected to the gas meter, instrument information storage means for storing instrument information, and instantaneous flow rate for each instrument based on instrument information stored in the instrument information storage means Integration means for performing, utilization information output means for outputting gas utilization information based on an integrated value for each appliance accumulated by the accumulation means, display means for displaying the gas utilization information output by the utilization information output means, It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a gas utilization information display device that is connected to a gas meter that integrates an instantaneous flow rate for each connected device and is arranged in a house, and registers the device information connected to the gas meter. From the registration means, the appliance information storage means for storing the appliance information, the integrated value acquisition means for acquiring the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate for each appliance from the gas meter, the appliance information stored in the appliance information storage means, and the gas meter A usage information output unit that outputs gas usage information based on the acquired instantaneous flow rate integrated value for each appliance, and a display unit that displays the gas usage information output by the usage information output unit. It is said.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the gas utilization information is an integrated value for each appliance integrated by the integrating unit or an integrated value of an instantaneous flow rate for each appliance acquired by the integrated value acquiring unit. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the usage information output means uses the integrated value for each appliance integrated by the integrating means or the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate for each appliance acquired by the integrated value acquisition means. And the usage fee is displayed on the display means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the usage information output unit selects a rate plan that can reduce the usage fee from a plurality of rate plans, and displays the selected rate plan on the display unit. It is characterized by doing.

  The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that the usage information output means outputs a usage method of the appliance for making it cheaper than a current usage fee.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when a fuel cell is connected as an instrument to be connected to the gas meter, the usage information output means is an electric power company based on the amount of power generated by the fuel cell and the amount of power. It is characterized by outputting the amount of reduction of the charge of the power supplied from.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the instantaneous flow rate acquired by the instantaneous flow rate acquisition means is integrated for each appliance based on the appliance information registered by the registration means, and based on the integrated value. Since the gas usage information is displayed on the display means, it is possible to display the gas usage status for each appliance, and therefore, it is possible to provide a display that is easy for the gas consumer to understand.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas usage information is displayed on the display means based on the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate acquired by the gas meter for each instrument and the instrument information stored in the instrument information storage means. Since the usage status of the gas can be displayed, it is possible to provide a display that is easy for the gas consumer to understand.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the integrated value, that is, the gas usage amount can be displayed for each instrument as the gas usage information, it is possible to display the gas consumer in an easily understandable manner.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the usage fee can be calculated from the integrated value and the usage fee can be displayed, it is possible to provide an easy-to-understand display for the gas consumer.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since it is possible to display a rate plan that can lower the usage fee than at present, it is possible to display useful information for gas consumers, and to use gas. Promotion can be aimed at.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display the usage method of the appliance for making the usage fee cheaper than the current usage fee, so that it is possible to display useful information for the gas consumer. It is possible to promote the use of gas.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when a fuel cell is connected, the amount of electric power generated by the fuel cell and the reduction amount of the charge of electric power supplied from the electric power company by the generated electric energy are calculated. Since the information can be displayed, it is possible to know how much power supplied from the electric power company can be reduced by using the fuel cell, and the user can effectively use the fuel cell.

(First embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a gas supply facility. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a gas utilization information display device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a gas appliance registration operation in the gas utilization information display apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a part of a flowchart showing the integration and display operations in the gas utilization information display device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is another part of the flowchart showing the integration and display operations in the gas utilization information display device shown in FIG.

  In the gas supply facility shown in FIG. 1, high-pressure gas from the two gas containers 1a and 1b is supplied to the pressure regulator 3 via the high-pressure hoses 2a and 2b. The pressure regulator 3 adjusts the high-pressure gas from the gas containers 1a and 1b to a gas having a predetermined pressure.

  The adjusted gas is supplied to the gas meter 6 through the gas pipe 5 having the closing cock 4 in the middle, and then further through the gas pipe 7 and the branch gas pipe 8 branched from the gas pipe 7. The gas appliance 9 is mainly provided in the room on the consumption side. Examples of the gas appliance 9 include a water heater 9a, a gas stove 9b, a gas heater 9c, and a gas floor heater 9d.

  The gas meter 6 is an electronic gas meter that has a CPU and can measure the instantaneous flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas flow path according to a predetermined control program or shut off the gas supply to the gas appliance 9 when an abnormality occurs. .

  The gas meter 6 is connected to the gas usage information display device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention disposed in the house by wire or wireless, and the instantaneous flow rate measured by the gas meter 6 is supplied to the gas usage information display device 10. Output.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gas utilization information display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a microcomputer 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, an external memory 14, and a communication unit 15.

  The microcomputer 11 as the integrating means and the usage information output means includes the CPU 11a, the ROM 11b, and the RAM 11c, and the CPU 11a executes a control program recorded in advance in the ROM 11b, whereby the overall control of the gas usage information display device 10 and the present embodiment In the example, various information such as integration of the instantaneous flow rate for each gas appliance and an integrated value (usage amount) displayed on the display unit 12, a usage fee, a recommended fee plan, and a usage method of the gas appliance are generated.

  The display unit 12 as a display unit is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various information output by the microcomputer 11.

  The operation unit 13 includes buttons used when the user performs settings of the gas usage information display device 10, requests for displaying various information, resetting integrated values, and the like. The operation unit 13 may be provided integrally with the display unit 12 by using the display unit 12 as a touch panel.

  The external memory 14 as the appliance information storage means is composed of a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory, and stores information on registered gas appliances.

  The communication unit 15 serving as an instantaneous flow rate acquisition unit and a registration unit communicates with the gas meter 6 connected by wire or wireless, and the gas meter registers the instantaneous flow rate at the time of gas appliance registration and the instantaneous flow rate during normal operation according to instructions from the microcomputer 11. 6 and output to the microcomputer 11.

  Next, in the gas usage information display device 10 having the above-described configuration, the gas meter 6 is connected to display various information such as an integrated value (amount of usage), a usage fee, a recommended fee plan, and an appliance usage method. A flow chart for registering the appliance in the gas utilization information display device 10 in advance is shown in FIG. This flowchart is recorded in the ROM 11b of the microcomputer 11 and executed by the CPU 11a.

  First, in step S21, the manufacturer name of the gas appliance to be registered is selected, and the process proceeds to step S22. The manufacturer name selection method includes, for example, a method in which the user or the like operates the operation unit 13 to select a manufacturer name registered in the gas utilization information display device 10 in advance, a barcode attached to a product, an IC tag, or the like It is also possible to input by reading.

  Next, in step S22, the model name of the gas appliance to be registered is selected, and the process proceeds to step S23. As with the manufacturer name, for example, the model name can be selected by a method in which the user or the like operates the operation unit 13 to select a model name registered in the gas usage information display device 10 in advance, or a bar attached to the product. A method of inputting by reading a code or an IC tag may be used.

  Next, in step S23, the registration button provided on the operation unit 13 is operated, and the process proceeds to step S24. At this time, the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance is measured by the gas meter 6 and stored in the external memory 14 in association with the manufacturer name and model name. The instantaneous flow rate may be included in a bar code or an IC tag in advance, and read at the same time when reading the manufacturer name or model name and stored in the external memory 14.

  Next, in step S24, it is determined whether or not all gas appliances have been registered. If registration has been completed (in the case of YES), this flowchart is terminated as registration completion, and if registration has not been completed (in the case of NO). ) Returns to step S21. In this step, for example, the user is asked on the display section 12 whether or not the registration of all gas appliances has been completed. If an operation corresponding to the completion of registration is performed, the flowchart is terminated, and if the registration has not been completed, step S21 is performed. Return to and urge registration of unregistered gas appliances.

  Next, in the gas utilization information display device 10 having the above-described configuration, the integration of the instantaneous flow rate for each gas appliance and the display of various information will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. This flowchart is recorded in the ROM 11b of the microcomputer 11 and executed by the CPU 11a.

  First, in step S1, the communication unit 15 is instructed to read the instantaneous flow rate from the gas meter 6, and the process proceeds to step S2. The communication unit 15 acquires the instantaneous flow rate from the gas meter 6 according to the instruction and outputs it to the microcomputer 11.

  Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 is a registered gas appliance A (for example, a water heater 9a). If it is a gas appliance A (YES), step S3 is performed. If it is not the gas appliance A (NO), the process proceeds to step S4. Whether or not the gas appliance A is used is determined based on whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 matches the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance A registered and stored in the external memory 14 when the gas appliance is installed.

  Next, in step S3, since the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 is found to be due to the use of the gas appliance A, for example, it is added to the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance A stored in the RAM 11C of the microcomputer 11. Then, the process proceeds to step S4.

  Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 is the registered gas appliance B (for example, gas stove 9b). If it is the gas appliance B (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S5. If it is not the gas appliance B (NO), the process proceeds to step S6. Whether or not the gas appliance B is used is determined based on whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 matches the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance B registered and stored in the external memory 14 when the gas appliance is installed.

  Next, in step S5, since the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 is found to be due to the use of the gas appliance B, it is added to the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance B stored in the RAM 11C of the microcomputer 11, for example. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read out in step S1 is the registered gas appliance C (for example, the gas heater 9c). If it is the gas appliance C (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S7. If it is not the gas appliance C (NO), the process proceeds to step S8. The determination as to whether or not the gas appliance C is present is made by determining whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 matches the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance C registered and stored in the external memory 14 when the gas appliance is installed.

  Next, in step S7, since the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 was found to be due to the use of the gas appliance C, it is added to the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance C stored in the RAM 11C of the microcomputer 11, for example. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

  Next, in step S8, it is determined whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 is the registered gas appliance D (for example, gas floor heating 9d). Proceed to S9, and if it is not the gas appliance D (in the case of NO), proceed to Step S10. The determination as to whether or not the gas appliance D is present is made based on whether or not the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 matches the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance D registered and stored in the external memory 14 when the gas appliance is installed.

  Next, in step S9, since the instantaneous flow rate read in step S1 is found to be due to the use of the gas appliance D, for example, it is added to the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate of the gas appliance D stored in the RAM 11C of the microcomputer 11. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

  Next, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the user operates the operation unit 13 to request display of various information. If there is a display request for various information, the process proceeds to step S11 and there is no display request. If so, the process returns to step S1.

  Next, in step S11, various information as gas utilization information is displayed on the display part 12, and it progresses to step S12. The contents of various information include the accumulated value of gas appliance A, usage fee, recommended rate plan determined from usage status, and usage method (reference usage method) of gas appliance to reduce the usage fee with the current rate plan . The usage fee is calculated and displayed from the calculation conditions for each fee plan of the usage fee set in advance in the ROM 11b or the like based on the integrated value, using the calculation conditions suitable for the rate plan currently contracted by the gas consumer. To the unit 12. For the recommended rate plan determined from the usage status, the usage fee is calculated from the calculation conditions of each rate plan based on the integrated value, and if there is a plan that is cheaper than the current rate plan, the rate plan is output to the display unit 12. . The usage method of the gas appliance for reducing the usage fee in the current rate plan is, for example, by setting the usage method for reducing the usage fee for the appliance for each rate plan in one or more ROMs 11b or the external memory 14 in advance. It is output to the display unit 12 according to the charge plan. Specifically, if the current price plan is long and gas is used and discounts occur, please do not turn on / off the floor heating frequently. Please output a message such as “Please”. The display unit 12 displays various information output from the microcomputer 11.

  Next, in step S12, various information as gas utilization information is displayed on the display part 12, and it progresses to step S13. As for the contents of various information, as with gas appliance A, the recommended value plan based on the integrated value, usage fee, usage status of gas appliance B, and the usage method of gas appliances to reduce the usage fee with the current rate plan (reference Usage method).

  Next, in step S13, various information as gas utilization information is displayed on the display part 12, and it progresses to step S14. As for the contents of various information, as with gas appliance A, the recommended value plan based on the accumulated value of gas appliance C, usage charges, usage conditions, and how to use gas appliances to reduce usage charges with the current price plan (reference Usage method).

  Next, in step S14, various information as gas utilization information is displayed on the display part 12, and it returns to step S1. As for the contents of various types of information, as with gas appliance A, the recommended value plan based on the integrated value of gas appliance D, usage charges, usage conditions, and how to use gas appliances to reduce usage charges with the current price plan (reference Usage method).

  According to the present embodiment, the instantaneous flow rate is registered in advance in the external memory 14 for each gas appliance, and the instantaneous flow rate measured by the gas meter 6 is compared with the registered instantaneous flow rate to match the gas appliance. The usage amount is integrated by the microcomputer 11 and when requested by the user, the integrated value for each gas appliance and the usage fee calculated from the integrated value are displayed on the display unit 12. Easy-to-understand gas usage information can be displayed.

  Further, in order to display on the display unit 12 the usage method of the gas appliance for reducing the usage fee in the recommended rate plan or the current rate plan determined from the usage status based on the integrated value, the user can use the gas at a lower rate. Since it is possible to assist in using the gas, it is possible to display information useful for the user and promote the use of gas.

  In the embodiment described above, the instantaneous flow rate acquired from the gas meter 6 by the microcomputer 11 of the gas utilization information display device 10 is integrated for each gas appliance, but the instantaneous flow rate may be integrated for each gas appliance by the gas meter 6. . And when there exists a request | requirement from a user, an integrated value may be acquired from the gas meter 6 and various information may be displayed on the display part 12. FIG. In that case, the registration of the appliance in the gas utilization information display device 10 is registered by inputting the manufacturer name, model name, and instantaneous flow rate directly from the operation unit 13 or by using a barcode, IC tag, or the like as in the above-described embodiment. The manufacturer name and model name are stored in the external memory 14, and the manufacturer name, model name, and instantaneous flow rate are transmitted to the gas meter 6, stored in the gas meter 6, and then the gas appliance is identified by matching the measured instantaneous flow rate. Accumulate for each gas appliance. When there is a request from the user, the gas meter 6 transmits the integrated value and information (manufacturer name, model name) of the gas appliance corresponding to the integrated value to the gas usage information display device 10 to display the gas usage information. In the apparatus 10, various information is displayed according to the information of the gas appliance.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the gas utilization information display apparatus 10 concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. Note that the same parts as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a fuel cell 9e is connected as a gas appliance 9 as shown in FIG.

  The fuel cell 9e is a device that incorporates a reforming device for reforming city gas or propane gas, and generates electric power by causing an electrochemical reaction of the extracted hydrogen with oxygen in the fuel cell 9e. The generated power is supplied to the home.

  In addition, the fuel cell 9e may be a cogeneration system that generates hot water using exhaust heat generated during power generation and supplies the hot water instead of the water heater 9a or the gas floor heater 9d.

  In this embodiment, the block configuration of the gas usage information display device 10 and the integration operation for each gas appliance are basically the same (the integration function may be in the gas usage information display device 10 or in the gas meter 6). The display contents are different from those of the other gas appliances 9 when displaying various information of the fuel cell 9e as gas appliances.

  Specifically, in the case of the display of the fuel cell 9e as a gas appliance, in addition to the integrated value of the gas used in the fuel cell 9e and the gas usage fee, the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 9e and the power generated Displays how much the charge of power supplied from the power company has been reduced by the amount of power. For the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 9e, a conversion value or conversion formula from the amount of gas used (integrated value) to the amount of power is set in advance in the external memory 14 of the gas utilization information display device 10 and the like. The integrated value is converted into an electric energy, and the electric energy is output to the display unit 12. The unit price of the power charge is set in advance in the external memory 14 of the gas usage information display device 10 to determine how much the charge of the power supplied from the power company can be reduced by the amount of power generated, and the fuel cell 9e A power charge is calculated based on the unit price set from the amount of generated power, and is output to the display unit 12 as a reduced power charge.

  According to the present embodiment, when the fuel cell 9e is connected as a gas appliance, the integrated value of the gas used in the fuel cell 9e, the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 9e, in addition to the gas usage fee, Since it is possible to display how much the charge of the electric power supplied from the electric power company has been reduced by the amount of generated electric power, the user can effectively use the fuel cell 9e.

  In the above-described embodiment, various types of information are sequentially displayed for each instrument. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of instruments may be displayed at a time, or the instrument displayed by the user may be selected. .

  Further, the above-described embodiments are merely representative forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a lineblock diagram showing an example of gas supply equipment in a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the gas utilization information display apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the registration operation | movement of the gas appliance in the gas utilization information display apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a part of a flowchart showing integration and display operations in the gas utilization information display device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is another part of the flowchart showing the integration and display operations in the gas utilization information display device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the gas supply equipment in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

6 Gas meter 10 Gas usage information display device 11 Microcomputer (integration means, usage information output means)
12 Display section (display means)
13 Operation part (registration means)
14 External memory (device information storage means)
15 Communication unit (instantaneous flow rate acquisition means, integrated value acquisition means, registration means)

Claims (7)

A gas usage information display device connected to a gas meter and arranged in a house,
Instantaneous flow rate acquisition means for periodically acquiring an instantaneous flow rate of gas from the gas meter;
Registration means for registering instrument information connected to the gas meter;
Instrument information storage means for storing the instrument information;
Accumulating means for integrating the instantaneous flow rate for each appliance based on the appliance information stored in the appliance information storage means;
Usage information output means for outputting gas usage information based on the integrated value for each appliance integrated by the integrating means;
Display means for displaying the gas utilization information output by the utilization information output means;
A gas utilization information display device comprising: It is a gas usage information display device that is connected to a gas meter that integrates the instantaneous flow rate for each connected appliance and is arranged in the house,
Registration means for registering instrument information connected to the gas meter;
Instrument information storage means for storing the instrument information;
Integrated value acquisition means for acquiring an integrated value of instantaneous flow rate for each instrument from the gas meter;
Usage information output means for outputting gas usage information based on the integrated information of the appliance information stored in the appliance information storage means and the instantaneous flow rate for each appliance acquired from the gas meter;
Display means for displaying the gas utilization information output by the utilization information output means;
A gas utilization information display device comprising:   3. The gas according to claim 1, wherein the gas use information is an integrated value for each appliance integrated by the integrating unit or an integrated value of an instantaneous flow rate for each appliance acquired by the integrated value acquiring unit. Usage information display device.   The usage information output means calculates the usage fee for each appliance from the integrated value for each appliance integrated by the integrating means or the integrated value of the instantaneous flow rate for each appliance acquired by the integrated value acquisition means, and the display means The gas usage information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the usage fee is displayed.   2. The usage information output unit selects a rate plan that can make the usage fee lower than a current rate among a plurality of rate plans, and displays the selected rate plan on the display unit. The gas utilization information display apparatus as described in any one of thru | or 4.   The gas usage information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the usage information output means outputs a usage method of the appliance for making it cheaper than a current usage fee. When a fuel cell is connected as an instrument connected to the gas meter,
The usage information output means outputs the amount of electric power generated by the fuel cell and a reduction amount of a charge for electric power supplied from an electric power company based on the amount of electric power. The gas utilization information display device according to claim 1.

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